This book seeks to critically examine the challenges of fragility and security in West Africa, along with the factors of resilience. It seeks to investigate key drivers of conflict and violence, and the way in which they impact the countries of the subregion. Along with emerging threats and challenges, these include the challenge of youth inclusion; migration; regional imbalances; extractives; the fragility of political institutions and managing the competition for power; security; and land.

France has been mobilized since the beginning of the crisis, in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the authorities of the concerned countries. It is providing technical support and expertise to contain the epidemic. Our embassies, particularly in Guinea (which also has jurisdiction for Sierra Leone) and Liberia, are in close contact with the health monitoring and care facilities established in each of those countries.